Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me!

Have you ever been diagnosed with herpes ? If not the only way to know for sure is to do a blood test but you have to wait a few weeks for the antibodies to build up because if you test too soon you might be negative when indeed you have it. If you had unprotected sex it is a great possibility that you have contracted herpes. You can have a first outbreak and not have the flu like symptoms. I would try to find some time to go somewhere and be tested ( wait about 3 months) in the meantime you can have herpes medication prescribed and take it to help your issues.

I have never been diagnosed with this kind of disease. I started getting blisters 2weeks ago. I had a blood test last week. Still waiting for ther result. But how can these blisters go away? How long will it take? Please help me. I'm new to everything and I had no idea about all this.

The most important thing is to calm down. I went through all of this and I'm only 21. There is not a sure timing as to when these bumps go away it depends on your body and immune system. If you take medication it can speed up the process it takes. I think it takes two weeks in most people who are having their first outbreak. Try to eat healthy as possible avoid alcohol and too much sun exposure as those are triggers and might delay. Try to get enough sleep. If when you had unprotected sex is was a few weeks ago you might still not test positive if in fact you took the herpes blood test (igg with type differentiation). If you look at this thread go to the oldest post. The creator of this post gives a great description , better than mine.

Remember a few things:

- herpes is very common

-type 2 herpes can be passed even with a condom

- knowledge is power so read up and it will give you strength to cope and push forward.

Just know you can get passed this !

Good overall advice, and thanks regarding the comment about this thread. Only thing I'd point out is that a first outbreak can typically last 3 weeks, especially if on mucosal skin, and sun exposure is potentially an issue for oral herpes, not genital herpes, otherwise all good. Also worth adding that the test window for HSV IgG is 3+ months post exposure, and testing for IgG during a suspected first outbreak or straight after a risky encounter can be useful for baseline purposes (but not diagnosis, as you pointed out).

In the beginning it is very hard. There is no doubt it is a difficult time. Remember that most people (anywhere from 50-70%) have hsv 1. On top of that most of it was caught in childhood, so nobody had a choice. Knowledge is power so do your research read and learn , it helped me. I spoke to someone who had it and he assured me its manageable. Think of it as an annoying nuisance like a cough that won't go away as opposed to what it is. If you need to attend a support group. The most important thing to remember is don't fret or worry, move forward with your life cause there is so much to do left.

I think you just need to look at things rationally and put things in perspective. Type 1 is *very* common orally. If you have it genitally, it just means that you have the common cold sore virus in the "wrong" place, and actually it's better to have it there than orally! Genital Type 1 recurs and sheds far less than genital Type 2, and even less than oral Type 1, so it is not highly transmissible or problematic, except in unusual cases. I honestly would not worry about it and would much rather have genital Type 1 if given the choice.

I have Hsv1 down below but dont get outbreaks. But it still makes me feel so depressed. My thoughts are just out of control. Do I have to tell people I have this? Not that I feel like dating

With genital Type 1 it's a rather grey area. If you feel the need to disclose, it's sufficient to casually mention that you carry the cold sore virus, without saying where you're infected, imo. But then again, how many people with oral Type 1 disclose, bearing in mind that it's the exact same virus?

In terms of coping generally, perspective is important. I'm a strong believer of knowledge and rational thinking. Don't let your emotional side get the better of you. Whenever that happens, rationalise your thoughts and look at the big picture. Distract yourself with interests or side projects, and focus on how normal you feel. That's what I do, at least!

Thanks so much. Have you had any relationships since diagnosed? Do you have 1 or 2 (not that it matters )

I have Type 2, coming up to a year, and actually it does matter which type you have. Type 2 is more infectious with worse associated risks (hence why I'd much rather Type 1), so I have taken myself out of the dating game, as it's honestly dampened my interest in men, relationships and sex, and I just want to focus on me and my health. I'm coping normally otherwise, though, lol!

The dating market where I am is already tough enough, so it actually makes little difference whether I'm actively in it or not, so no big change at the end of the day. Sorry if that's not the uplifting, inspirational story you were hoping for! There are many others on here who manage new relationships, though, regardless of HSV type.

Sorry for so many questions but what are the worse associated risks? Im still getting my head around it all. You sound like a truly beautiful and helpful person

I was wondering how people manage in long term relationships where couples do not want to use confirms every time??

And I was also hoping for loads of people to say that they are in a healthy sexual relationship and have not passed HSV2 to there partner!

I'm actually dreading sex now- it has made me not want it at all! 👎🏼

Meant 'condoms' not confirm bloody predict text!!! 🙈

Aww, thanks. As for your question, HSV-2 triples the risk of acquiring HIV through sex *if* exposed, regardless of the presence of open lesions or not, and doubles the risk of cervical cancer *if* you also have high-risk HPV. A lot of "ifs", but still. There are other risks, too, but those are the two that come to mind and which don't apply to Type 1. Fyi, I explain both risks elsewhere in this thread.

It is possible, especially with the help of suppressive meds, but I've not tried myself.

Thanks so much. This is news to me. I really appreciate this information, and all of your replies. I just have to get through the depression. But you have definitely made me feel better

You are so awesome! FYI

Agreed. 😀

You're too kind! *blushing*